LANSING – State Representative Mike Lahti (D-Hancock) today announced that the House has passed the Hunting Heritage Protection Act, ensuring that any hunting land sold by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) must be replaced by new hunting land. The bill will ensure that Michigan continues to be a top destination in the country for outdoors enthusiasts.
"Hunting is a proud tradition that is carried on from one generation to the next, with grandparents, mothers and fathers, and sons and daughters all heading out into Michigan's great outdoors together," said Lahti, a co-sponsor of the measure. "People come from around the country to hunt in Michigan, and it pumps billions of dollars into our economy each year. It's a part of our heritage that must be protected."
The bill would require that there be no net loss of state-owned hunting land in Michigan. Any public hunting land that is sold by the state would have to be replaced with an equal amount of public hunting land.
Michigan boasts 8 million acres of public hunting land, with 4.5 million acres managed by the DNR. Michigan has more than 750,000 hunters, ranking the state third in the nation in licensed hunters, according to the DNR.
Hunting significantly bolsters Michigan's economy by $2.5 billion every year, according to the DNR. It contributes an estimated $1.3 billion directly to the state's economy, plus an additional $1.2 billion from peripheral spending at hotels, restaurants, and other local businesses.
"As life-long resident of the U.P., I understand the need to preserve our public hunting land," Lahti said. "The Hunting Heritage Protection Act will ensure that Michigan's proud outdoor tradition is protected for generations to come."